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Rescued from Abuse, Two Starved Puppies Recover

Lacey, before and after receiving treatment at the ASPCA Animal Hospital

When ASPCA Special Agent Ann Kelly brought hound mix puppies Cagney and Lacey to the ASPCA Animal Hospital on February 17, the two were so skinny that their bones were visible from across the room.

The dogs’ owner, Gillian Irving, relinquished them to the ASPCA after Agent Kelly visited her home in the Norwood section of the Bronx. In April, Agent Kelly arrested Irving, who was charged with two counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. (If convicted, Irving faces up to two years in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.)

Meanwhile, under the care of our veterinary professionals, the frightened dogs put on weight quickly: Cagney went from 16.4 to 27.1 pounds, and Lacey from 15.2 to 26.9, in the months leading up to Irving’s arrest.

As these shy puppies gained weight, they also made new friends among ASPCA staff and learned that new people weren’t so scary after all. At first, the dogs “would cower to the ground when they were removed from their kennels,” recalls ASPCA Senior Behavior and Training Manager Victoria Wells. “Once the vets gave the medical okay, they were paired up with each other and more confident dogs for play sessions and walks to expose them to new people and places. They slowly began to overcome their fear.”

They even made a special friend in Kim Danley, a licensed veterinary technician. When the dogs were ready to move to foster homes, Danley brought Lacey to the home she shared with her Rottweiler and ASPCA-alumnus cat, while Cagney went to another foster home.

As Danley invested lots of time in teaching Lacey that new people and places were exciting, not scary, Lacey became an irreplaceable member of the family. When Lacey was made available for adoption, Danley decided to make it official. She filled out the paperwork and renamed her Frankie.

Since then, the Danley family has moved to California, where Frankie loves running on the beach, sunbathing on her deck and taking boat rides. Danley reports that “now she’s the happiest dog in the world. She and Charlie sleep curled up with each other every night. She’s not afraid of a thing.”

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Comments

NOW LET ME SAY THIS, DO NOTTTTTTTTT, EVEY LOOK AT A DOG MUCH LESS OWNING ONE IF YOU CANNOTTTTTTTTTTTTT TAKE CARE OF IT. A LOVING DOG, AND ANY PET FOR THAT MATTER DO NOTTTTTTTTTTT DESERVE TO BE TREATED, NEGLECTED, HURT, ABUSED, LEFT TO DIE, ABANDON, USED FOR SPORTS FOR AN EVIL BASTARDS PLEASURE. I'M SO GLAD THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE ME LEFT IN THE WORLD THAT WILL DO ANYTHING FOR OUR FOUR LEGGED FRIENDS. AFTERALL, THEY WERE HERE BEFORE HUMANS SO RESPECT THEM. THANK YOU TO ALL THE ANIMAL LOVERS AND HELPERS OUT THERE THAT HAS HELPED TO BRING ANIMALS BACK TO HEALTH AND PUT INTO LOVING HOMES. MAY THE CURSE FOLLOW THOSE WHO ABUSE AND HURT ANIMALS AND BLESSINGS COME TO THOSE WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP ANIMALS.

i don't believe that renameing makes any difference to the dog. i have called past dogs many names and as long as my tone of voice is pleasant, they always come. they hear your tone, not necessarily what you are actully saying.

i have adopted several dogs over the years, (most living way past their age they should maybe not have lived past according to books and vets), and have volunteered at central texas spca. renaming a dog is ok. the only thing you need to do is show with actions and by tone of voice that your furbuddy is safe and loved, never in anger to speak or hit them. they don't learn that way. it only makes them afraid, and you don't want that to happen if they are a part of your family. (it's like any abuse, and it's all bad, as any abuse is)

What a great story for Lacey. Wish both dogs could have gone together to the Danley home. They would both be together and enjoying their life together in a loving home that truly appreciates each of them.

Wanted to thank Danley for generously giving of his time and love to this adorable dog. I dont think that so much attention should have been given to the name change but instead to what a big heart Danley had to have been a foster parent to begin with. Thanks.